if  ...■  -fl 

THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 


ON    Tin-:    .SIJ^JKCT    OF 


MUSIC  IX  THE  CHURCH. 


TOGKTIIEU    WITH 


SOME  SUGGESTIONS  ON  THE  BEST  MODE  OF 
ACCOMPLISHING  THE  OBJECT: 


;         FKW  CRITICAL  KEMAKKS  OX  CONGREGATIONAL  SINGING   AND 
I  THE  MUSIC  BOOKS  BEST  ADAPTED  FOR  THE  PURPOSE. 


}  BY 

I  A     LAYMAN. 

) 

) 

4 

s^^  NEW  YORK  : 

Wj/'^^"^    F.TROW,    PRINTER,    :;77    &   :579    HROADWAY 


i 


CORNER      OP     W  U  I  T  E      S  T  R  E  K 1 

1859. 


my^ 


-V^vw^Uv'Wn^; 


FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 


REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 


BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM  TO 

THE  LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


RESOLUTIONS 


OP 


THE  HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS, 


ox    THE    SUBJECT   OF 


MUSIC  m  THE  CHUllCII. 


TOGETHER    WITH 


SOME  SUGGESTIONS  ON  THE  BEST  MODE  OF 
ACCOMPLISHIXG  THE  OIJJECT: 


WITU    A 


FEW  CRITICAL  REMARKS  ON  CONGREGATIONAL  SINGING    \ND  THE 
MUSIC  BOOKS  BEST  ADAPTED  FOR  THE  PURPOSE. 


BY 

A    LAYMAN. 


NEW  YOHK  : 
JOHN    F.    TROW,    PRINTER,    3  7  7    k    3  7  0    nROAD^VAY 

CORNEB     OF     ^VHITE      STREET. 
1859. 


RESOLUTIONS 

OF 

THE  HOUSE  OE  BISHOPS. 


By  request  of  Bishop  Meade,  who  presided  in  the 
House  of  Bishops,  this  opinion  is  furnished  in  antici- 
pation of  the  Journal,  as  it  was  the  request  of  the 
Bishops  that  it  be  read  to  tlie  congregations  by  the 
several  ministers : 

Resolved^  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  House  of 
Bishops,  there  is  very  much  in  the  prevailing  manner 
of  conducting  those  parts  of  our  public  worship  which 
require  the  aid  of  sacred  music,  to  which  the  serious 
attention  of  the  Clergy  and  their  congregations  should 
be  directed — as,  not  only  not  promotive  of  a  devout 
spirit,  but,  very  injurious  thereto ;  as  directly  calculated 
to  nurture  a  lifeless  formality,  by  making  the  congrega- 
tion mere  passive  listeners  to  musical  sounds,  confined 
to  choirs,  in  the  formation  of  which  there  is  often  little 
reference  to  fitness  of  personal  character ;  as  virtually 
depriving  the  congregation  of  their  proper  privilege 
of  uniting  with  their  voices  in  the  worship  of  the 
Church,  when  its  words  arc  sung  as  well  as  when  only 
read;  as  impairing  the  beautiful  simplicity  of  our  pub- 


lie  worship,  and  thus  rendering  it  in  the  parts  referred 
to,  unadapted  to  the  greater  number  of  our  people, 
and  so  taking  therefrom  one  of  its  chief  excellences, 
as  being  Common  Prayer^  accommodated  to  all  con- 
ditions of  worshipping  Christian  people ;  as  causing, 
moreover,  a  needless  delay  and  interruption  of  our 
morning  and  evening  prayer,  by  the  introduction  of 
music,  especially  such  as  is  merely  instrumental,  which 
unprofitably  and  needlessly  abridges  the  time  allotted 
to  the  preaching  of  the  word,  and,  by  fatiguing  the 
hearers,  both  in  body  and  mind,  interferes  with  their 
ability  rightly  to  receive  the  same ;  and  lastly,  as 
creating  in  all  these  particulars,  an  influence,  which  in 
our  opinion,  is  decidedly  counteractive  of  the  proper 
work  of  God's  Church,  as  his  appointed  instrument  of 
cherishing  and  promoting  his  worship  "in  spirit  and 
in  truth." 

Itesolved^  That,  in  the  opinion  of  the  House  of 
Bishops,  the  evils  referred  to,  proceed  chiefly  from  the 
following  causes,  namely  :  First^  from  an  oversight  of 
the  principle  that  the  object  of  Church  music  is  not 
the  gratification  of  a  cultivated  musical  taste.  But  by 
the  aid  of  simple  and  appropriate  music,  to  cultivate 
devout  affections  among  all  classes  of  worshipping 
people,  and  to  enable  them  to  commune  with  one 
another  in  the  united  and  animated  expression  of  the 
same. 

Secondly^  from  the  selection  by  organists  and  choirs 
of  such  tunes  and  chants  as,  on  account  of  their  not 
being  sufficiently  familiar  to  the  congregation,  or  from 
their  want  of  due  simplicity,  the  congregation  cannot 
be  expected  to  unite  in  singing. 

Thirdly^  from  the    use  of   musical   compositions, 


especially  such  as  are  called  chants,  which  require 
too  much  time  in  the  performance,  and  also  from  the 
introduction  of  voluntaries  on  the  organ,  before  the 
channts,  and  between  the  verses  of  psalms  and  hymns, 
which,  having  no  value,  but  as  exhibitions  of  instru- 
mental music,  are  wearying  to  the  congregation. 

Lastly^  from  the  extent  to  wdiich  the  control  of  this 
part  of  the  worship  of  the  Church  is  virtually  taken 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  Rectors  of  parishes,  where  alone 
the  Church  law  has  placed  it,  and  is  exercised  by 
committees  of  Vestries,  and  chiefly  by  organists  and 
choirs. 

Resolved^  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  House  of 
Bishops  there  can  be  no  material  improvement  of  our 
public  worship  in  the  particulars  mentioned,  except 
as  each  parish  minister  shall  faithfully  perform  the 
duty  assigned  him  by  the  law  of  this  Church,  which  in 
the  words  of  the  Rubric,  is,  that  "  with  such  assistance 
as  he  can  obtain  from  persons  skilled  in  music,  he  shall 
give  order  concerning  the  tunes  to  be  sung  at  any  time 
in  his  church,  and  especially  shall  suppress  all  light 
and  unseemly  music,  and  all  indecency  and  irreverence 
in  the  performance." 

Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  the  pas- 
tors of  our  churches  that  they  endeavor  by  all  suitable 
measures  to  promote  a  general  participation  of  their 
people,  by  voice,  in  those  parts  of  our  worship  which 
are  sung,  as  well  as  in  those  which  are  not. 

Resolved^  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  House  of 
Bishops,  it  is  particularly  incumbent  on  the  rectors  in 
our  larger  and  older  cities,  to  see  that  the  music  in 
their  churches  be  so  conducted  as  to  afford  a  whole- 
some example  to  those  in  our  humbler  and  younger 


congregations,  who  naturally  look  to  such  sources  for 
guidance  in  matters  of  external  order  and  expediency. 
A  true  extract  from  the  minutes. 

Attest — Lewis  P.  W.  Balch, 
Secretary  of  the  House  of  Jjishops. 

THE  CONDITION  OF  OUR  CHURCH  MUSIC. 

That  the  music  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  east,  west, 
north  and  south,  is  in  a  most  deplorable  condition,  none 
can  deny,  and  every  Churchman  must  rejoice  that  the 
House  of  Bishops  has  seen  fit,  officially,  to  call  the  at- 
tention of  clergy  and  people  to  the  growing  evil. 

It  is  to  be  regretted,  however,  that  it  had  not  gone 
further,  and  pointed  out,  more  clearly,  the  methods  by 
which  the  desired  object  could  be  reached;  for,  al- 
though a  vast  deal  has  been  written  and  said  upon  the 
subject,  within  the  past  ^yq  years,  but  few  persons 
have  any  very  clear  ideas  about  congregational  sing- 
ing, or  how  it  is  to  be  obtained. 

To  enable  all,  whether  skilled  in  music  or  not — or 
acquainted  with  the  machinery  of  clioirs — "  that  power 
behind  the  " — ^pulpit,  which  with  its  "discords" — its 
"  prepared  "  and  "  unprepared  harmonies  " — its  "  sus- 
pensions," and  its  "  crotchets  and  quavers,"  so  often 
disturbs  the  peace  and  quiet  of  pastors  and  people, 
shaking  churches  to  their  very  centres  ; — to  enable  all, 
we  say,  to  form  some  definite  opinion,  or  to  have  some 
clear  idea  as  to  liow  the  work  may  be  accomplished,' 
and  the  music  restored  to  its  true  place  in  the  Church, 
the  following  pamphlet  has  been  prepared ;  and  all  in- 
terested in  our  Church,  and  its  welfare,  are  respectfully 
requested  to  give  it  a  careful  perusal,  and  then  pass  it 
to  his  neighbor. 


THE  OFFICE  OF  MUSIC  IN  THE  CHURCH. 

That  the  true  ofTice  of  music  in  tlie  Church  is 
Praise^  not  artistic  display^  is  generally  conceded; 
and  that  the  music  most  acceptable  to  the  majority  of 
cliurch-goers,  is  that  most  familiar,  and  within  the 
comprehension,  and  generally  within  the  musical  abili- 
ties of  the  larger  portion  of  the  congregation.  Give 
the  worshipper  an  opportunity  of  joining,  with  heart 
and  voice,  in  the  praises  of  the  sanctuary,  and  his  at- 
tention Avill  be  confined  within  proper  limits,  with- 
out any  particular  regard  to  the  artistic  excellences  of 
the  performance ;  but  deny  him  that  privilege,  and  he 
becomes  at  once  a  critic  or  an  indifferent  listener,  with 
thoughts  engaged  in  analyzing  the  performances,  to  be 
put  into  fault-finding  after  service,  or  buried  with  the 
aflliirs  of  every-day  life — wholly  forgetful  of  the  great 
objects  of  prayer  and  praise.  Give  a  congregation 
Old  Hundred,  or  some  equally  well-known  tune,  and 
you  will  hear  no  fault  found  with  the  music ;  but  give 
them  an  "extract,"  or  an  "arrangement,"  from  the 
opera,  with  solos,  duetts,  and  trios,  and  there  will  be 
no  end  of  critics  and  criticisms. 

THE  KIND  OF  MUSIC  TO  BE  USED. 

There  is  a  great  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  the  pre- 
cise character  of  the  music  to  be  admitted  into  the 
Church,  even  among  the  warmest  advocates  of  congre- 
gational singing.  One  party  contends  that  it  should 
all  be  in  common  time,  and  of  the  character  of  Old 
Hundred,  Mear,  Dundee,  &c., — another  that  it  should 
all  be  of  the  type  of  the  German  choral — all  voices 
singing  the  melody^  while  the  harmony  is  supplied  by 


8 

the  organ  only.  Another  party  wants  nothing  but 
"  plam  song,"  and  "  Gregorian  tones,"  while  another 
insists  upon  modern  New  England  Psalmody,  having 
its  type  in  such  tunes  as  Olmutz,  Hamburg,  Hebron, 
Uxbridge,  Ward,  &c.,  based  on  Gregorian  tones,  and 
with  a  monotonous  rhythm,  generally  of  one  long  note 
and  two  short  ones,  or  two  short  notes  and  one  long 
one — another  wants  all  the  popular  secular  songs — as 
Home  Sweet  Home,  The  Last  Rose  of  Summer,  Nelly 
Bly,  Lucy  Long,  and  would  not  object  to  Prima  Donna 
Waltz,  and  Zip  Coon,  if  they  were  properly  solemnized 
by  sub-dominant  harmonies  and  minor  chords !  while 
there  is  another  class  who  demand  almost  exclusively 
"arrangements"  from  the  opera,  and  other  secular 
compositions,  and  adaptations  from  the  masses  of 
Haydn,  Mozart,  and  others,  without  any  regard  to 
their  fitness  for  the  purpose  intended — namely,  the 
praise  and  worship  of  God — not  a  mere  artistic  dis- 
play to  be  listened  to  or  not — praised  or  condemned 
according  to  the  whim  or  fancy  of  the  hearer. 

It  will  be  found,  however,  on  careful  investigation 
of  the  subject,  that  all  these  parties  have  taken  but  a 
one-sided  view  of  the  question,  and  any  attempts  to 
carry  out  either  would — as  it  has  already  done  in 
many  churches — end  in  failure  altogether. 

The  musical  taste  of  this  country  is  too  far  ad- 
vanced to  tolerate  for  any  great  length  of  time,  only 
such  simple  movements,  however  grand,  as  Old  Hun- 
dred, Mear,  &c.,  while  there  is  an  insurmountable 
physical  difficulty  in  the  way  of  carrying  out  the  cho- 
ral in  the  German  method,  where  all  voices  sing  but 
the  one  part.  In  this  country  the  male  voices  are 
mostly  baritones^  neither  low  enough  for  bass,  nor  high 


9 

enough  for  tenor,  while  the  female  voices  are  almost 
all  pure  soprano,  there  being  Ijiit  few  contralto,  or 
second  treble  voices  among  them.  Consequently  any 
attempt  to  bring  the  music  within  the  compass  of  the 
male  voices,  or  to  raise  it  to  the  key  of  the  female, 
must  result  in  silencing  one  or  Ihe  other  portion  of  our 
congregation — besides,  having  been  accustomed  to  the 
grand  elfect  of  full  harmonies  from  various  voices,  our 
people  will  never  be  contented  with  simple  melodies 
only,  however  well  performed. 

As  to  the  other  parties,  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to 
meet  them  in  detail  ;  for  it  will  be  found  on  investi- 
gation  and  trial,  that  the  English  Psalm   Tune,  and 
English  Chant,  as  given  in  Bishop  Wainwright's  Music 
of  The  Church,  Dr.  Muenscher's  Church  Choir,  and  the 
older  editions  of  the   Boston,   Ilaydn   and   Handel's 
collection,  are  the  true  models  lor  church  music,  com- 
bining an  easy  flowing  melody,  a  cheerful,  yet  digni- 
fied movement,  with  the  grandest,  yet  simplest  har- 
monies, admirably  in  keeping  with  our  incomparable 
liturgy,  and  all  within  the-  comprehension  and  musical 
abilities  of  our  church  people.     And  more,  these  tunes 
and  chants  are  the  growth  and  culture  of  our  beauti- 
ful service,  unassociated  with  secular  matters,  and  ad- 
mirably calculated  to  give   effect  to  the  lofty  senti- 
ments and  spirit-stirring  language  of  our  ritual.     The 
attempt   to   unite   the    melodious    utterances   of   the 
"  Sweet  Singer  of  Israel,"  with  scraps  of  melody  al- 
ready wedded  to  words  of  sickly  sentiment,  or  evil 
passion,  taken  from  the  modern  lyrical  drama,  or  secu- 
lar song  of  the  concert  room  or  play-house,  is  an  im- 
pertinence— nay,  more,  a  sacrilege,  wounding  the  feel- 
ings of  true  Christians,  and  should  be  frowned  down 


10 

both  by  clergy  and  people.  The  productions  of  mod- 
ern psalmwrights,  though  not  without  a  certain  degree 
of  merit,  are  generally  feeble  attempts  at  originality, 
or  vapid  imitations  of  what  is  better  in  the  older 
composers. 

From  what  has  been  said,  it  might  appear  a  hercu- 
lean task  to  reconcile  all  these  conflicting  views,  and 
bring  about  a  reform  in  our  church  music ;  but  to  the 
writer  it  seems  an  easy  task,  and  readily  accomplished, 
if  Clergy  and  people,  acting  on  the  suggestions  and 
recommendation  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  will  lay 
aside  all  their  preconceived  notions,  take  a  common- 
sense  view  of  the  subject,  stop  talking,  and  go  to 
work. 

HOW  THE  WORK  IS  TO  BE  DONE. 

It  is  very  evident  that  the  work  cannot  be  accom- 
plished without  an  effort  on  the  part  of  those  inter- 
ested ;  for  singing,  like  preaching,  will  not  go  of  itself. 
Yet  if  properly  started  it  will  go  on  with  ever-increas- 
ing facility;  ''for  although,"  as  has  been  somewhere 
remarked,  "  music  is  a  science  that  requires  long  and 
intense  study  to  excel  in  it ;  neither  much  skill  nor 
instruction  is  requisite  to  join  in  the  services  of  The 
Church ;  and  as  we  are  to  sing  to  God,  as  well  as  to 
jpray  to  Him,  it  would  appear  an  imperative  duty,  that 
all  who  hope  through  His  mercy  to  bear  a  part  in  the 
heavenly  choir,  should  to  the  best  of  their  ability  bear 
a  part  in  the  Songs  of  His  Church  in  the  present 
world."     But  how  is  this  to  be  done? 

We  answer,  first  agree  that  it  shall  he  done ;  then 
set  about  doing  it  in  some  straightforward  and  con- 


11 

sistent  maimer — the  initiatory  step  to  wliicli  will  be  to 
agree  upon  a  proper  rausic  book,  of  whicli  several  are 
now  published.  But  in  order  to  make  the  accomplish- 
ment as  easy  as  possible,  great  care  should  be  exer- 
cised in  the  selection  of  this  music  book,  for  upon  it 
depends  in  a  great  measure  the  success  of  the  under- 
taking. 

THE  BOOK  TO  BE  USED. 

The  music  book  to  be  used  should  be  complete  in 
itself — that  is,  containing  words  and  music,  side  by 
side,  for  all  parts  of  the  service  usually  sung  or  chant- 
ed— of  moderate  price  and  of  convenient  form  for  use 
in  the  pew,  so  that  all  may  have  it,  and  so  arranged 
that  any  one  can  find  the  places,  without  difficulty,  of 
both  chants  and  tunes,  and  without  other  announce- 
ment from  the  desk  than  those  now  used.  The  music 
should  be  old  and  approved,  and  of  the  character 
spoken  of  above. 

Of  the  books  most  prominent,  and  best  adapted 
to  the  purpose,  w^e  have — 

1.  The  Tune  Book,  by  Rev.  Drs.  ^[uhlenburg, 
Bedell  and  Greer. 

2.  Church  Music,  by  11.  W.  Greatorex. 

3.  The  Church  Choir,  by  Dr.  Muenscher. 

4.  The  Music  of  The  Church,  by  Dr.  Wainwright. 

5.  Cantus  Ecclesia,  by  Strawbridge  &  Dailey. 

G.  Songs  of  The  Church,  by  George  C.  Davies. 

7.  New  York  Grace  Church  collection  of  Sacred 
Music,  by  Wm.  A.  King. 

Of  this  list,  Nos.  2,  3,  4  and  5,  arc  well  known,  and 
used  in  the  great  majority  of  our  choirs.     The  music 


12 

is  generally  of  the  highest  order,  carefully  arranged, 
and  well  adapted  to  the  spirit  and  sentiment  of  our 
canticles  and  sacred  lyrics.  But  the  form  in  which 
they  are  printed,  and  not  being  complete  in  them- 
selves— requiring  the  use  of  another  book  for  the 
words,  and  not  indicating  clearly  the  tunes  to  be  sung 
to  the  different  psalms  and  hymns — their  use  in  the 
congregation  to  any  extent,  would  be  almost  impossi- 
ble. No.  7  is  not  so  well  known,  though  a  work  of 
high  merit.  Yet  being  principally  made  of  "  adapta- 
tions," and  "arrangements,"  from  the  larger  composi- 
tions of  Boethoven,  Mozart,  &c.,  it  is  not  so  well  suited 
to  congregational  use  as  some  of  the  others ;  besides 
its  price  (two  dollars)  places  it  beyond  the  use  of  too 
many  of  the  people. 

No.  1  is  the  famous  "Tune  Book"  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  the  House  of  Bishops,  and  is  put  forth  in  a 
semi-official  form  that  challenges  the  attention  of  all 
churchmen.  It  comes  nearer  to  our  standard  than 
either  of  the  above — being  convenient  in  form,  and 
complete  within  itself — having  both  words  and  music 
in  juxtaposition.  But  the  arrangement  is  defective, 
inasmuch  as  the  words  are  not  in  the  consecutive  order 
of  the  prayer-book,  but  with  psalms  and  hymns  indis- 
criminately set  to  the  same  tunes,  while  the  chants 
for  the  different  seasons  are  not  so  indicated  as  to  be 
found  without  special  announcement  by  the  clergy- 
man— an  innovation  that  would  be  res^arded  as  a  se- 
rious  interruption  to  our  beautiful  and  impressive  rit- 
ual. The  music  is  generally  good,  and  substantially 
that  of  the  book  before  mentioned;  but  the  admission 
of  several  new  compositions  of  no  particular  merit,  to 
the  exclusion  of  old  favorites — the  changing  of  keys 


13 

and  harmonies  of  many  long-used  tunes — the  want  of 
variety  in  the  movement  of  tunes  to  suit  the  character 
of  the  words,  and  the  wide  departure  from  the  adap- 
tations in  general  use,  render  it  distasteful  to  old  sing- 
ers, while  the  heavy  and  sombre  character  of  all  the 
music  is  calculated  to  make  it  no  favorite  with  the 
young. 

No.  6,  "  The  Songs  of  the  Church,"  comes  pretty 
nearly  to  our  standard,  and  will  be  found  in  practice 
well  adapted  to  the  purposes  intended.  It  embraces 
most  of  the  excellences  of  the  others,  with  few  of 
their  defects.  The  music,  with  slight  exceptions,  was 
written  originally  in  the  form  here  given,  and  has  con- 
sequently a  vigor  and  finish  that  mere  "  adaptations," 
or  "arrangements,"  from  larger  works  can  never  have. 
It  embraces  the  great  bulk  of  old  and  familiar  psalm 
tunes,  and,  so  far  as  was  practicable,  the  same  words 
and  music  are  associated  as  in  the  works  of  Wain- 
Avright  and  Muenscher,  and  with  which  Episcopalians 
are  mostly  familiar. 

The  size  of  this  book  is  convenient — the  adapta- 
tions excellent — the  music  of  the  most  approved 
character,  having  been  selected  apparently  with  great 
care,  from  among  the  standard  works  of  English  com- 
posers, "  as  that  best  calculated  to  give  utterance  to 
the  majestic  sentiments  of  our  canticles,  psalms  and 
hymns."  The  arrangement  of  the  chants  is  admira- 
ble— the  words  being,  in  all  cases,  printed  under  the 
notes  to  which  they  are  to  be  sung,  while  the  whole  is 
divided  into  seven  different  sets,  to  conform  to  the  di- 
visions of  the  Christian  year — marking  distinctly  the 
significant  changes  in  our  calendar — a  feature  that  will 
commend  itself  to  all  friends  of  the  Church. 


14 

It  will  be  found,  on  examiDing  this  work,  that  the 
canticles  are  all  arranged  to  simple  chants,  and  the 
psalms  and  hymns  to  plain  tunes;  all  anthems,  sen- 
tences, duetts,  solos,  &c.,  being  rigidly  excluded,  as 
being  unsuited  to  congregational  use,  and,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Bishops'  circular,  requiring  "  too  much 
time  in  the  performance,"  and  "wearying  to  the  con- 
gregation." 

The  objections  likely  to  be  raised  against  this  book 
will  be — 

1.  That  the  notes  are  too  small. 

2.  That  it  contains  no  separate  organ  score. 

3.  That  the  type  of  some  of  the  Psalms  and  Hymns 
is  too  small. 

4.  That  there  are  tunes  in  it  not  known  by  every- 
body. 

5.  That  some  of  the  tunes  look  as  if  they  were 
more  difficult  than  Old  Hundred. 

6.  That  many  tunes  in  use  in  our  Church  are  left 
out. 

7.  That  the  book  is  too  large  for  use  in  the  pew, 
and  too  small  for  the  gallery. 

8.  That  the  music,  though  admirably  adapted  to 
give  expression  to  the  words  with  which  they  are  as- 
sociated, is  not  that  which  the  critic  has  been  accus- 
tomed to  use  to  those  words. 

8.  That  although  it  is  the  most  complete  work  of 
the  kind  yet  published,  the  person  expressing  the 
opinion,  thinks  he  could  produce  a  better  one. 

10.  It  won't  answer  the  purpose,  because  it  loonH 
do  the  singing  by  itself! 

The  first  three  of  these  objections  are  easily  an- 
swered.     If  the  size  of  the  type  were  increased,   a 


15 

separate  score  for  the  organ  added,  the  book  would  be 
too  large  for  use  in  the  pew,  and  consequently  un- 
suited  for  the  purpose  intended.  But  these  objections 
are  only  imaginary,  as  will  be  found  in  practice. 

To  4  and  5  we  would  say,  very  likely  that  such  is 
the  case.  To  narrow  the  book  down  to  the  tunes 
known  by  everybody,  would  be  to  reduce  it  to  Old 
Hundred  only,  and  to  bring  all  the  tunes  down  to  the 
standard  of  that,  in  facility  of  execution,  would  result 
in  the  exclusion,  or  disuse  of  some  of  our  finest  lyri- 
cal psalms  and  hymns.  No.  G  is  answered  by  the  fact 
that  the  book  must  be  limited  in  extent,  and  could  not 
contain  every  thing ;  besides  many  of  the  tunes  alluded 
to  are  copyright,  and  could  not  be  had — and  more, 
the  tunes  used  in  their  stead  will  in  the  end  prove 
generally  more  acceptable  than  those  left  out.  No.  7 
will  answer  itself,  while  the  reply  to  No.  8  will  be 
found  in  the  impossibility  of  combining  forty,  or  more, 
arrangements  in  one,  and  is  inseparable  from  the  sub- 
ject. To  No.  9  we  would  say  very  likely,  and  he 
would  do  well  to  make  the  trial.  No.  10,  althouG:h 
dightly  absurd  on  the  face  of  it,  is  nevertheless  at  the 
bottom  of  the  others — the  great  majority  of  which,  it 
will  be  found,  arc  proposed  by  those  persons  who 
have  had  the  most  to  do  in  bringing  our  church  music 
into  the  lamentable  state  it  is  now  in,  and  who  are 
most  interested  in  keeping  it  just  where  it  is.  Conse- 
quently, Clergy  and  Yestries  would  do  well  to  have 
nothing  to  do  with  these  self-important  critics  ;  but  to 
exercise  their  own  good  judgment  in  deciding  upon 
the  books  to  be  used.  The  Songs  of  the  Church  are  in 
use  in  some  twenty  churches  in  New  York,  as  well  as 
in   many  churches  in  the  country.     In  St.  George's, 


16 

Rev.  Dr.  Tyng's,  it  has  been  used  since  May  last,  and 
no  particular  fault  has  been  found  with  the  size,  ar- 
rangement, or  material  of  the  work.  If  any  of  our 
readers  have  an  opportunity  of  attending  Dr.  Tyng's 
church,  they  would  do  well  to  do  so,  for  they  will 
then  have  an  opportunity  of  listening  to  the  grandest 
church  music  in  this  country,  and  where  it  is  not  unu- 
sual to  hear  more  than  a  thousand  voices  joining  in 
the  praises  of  the  sanctuary,  which  are  led  by  that 
most  thorough  musician  and  organist,  Mr.  George 
Bristow,  in  a  manner  worthy  of  the  palmiest  days  of 
church  music,  and  with  an  effect  almost  electrical. 
Too  much  praise  cannot  be  awarded  to  Dr.  Tyng  and 
his  Yestry,  for  the  noble  stand  they  have  taken  in  this 
matter,  and  for  the  aid  they  have  so  generously  ex- 
tended to  their  accomplished  organist  and  choir,  in 
their  efforts  to  engage  both  the  hearts  and  voices  of 
the  congregation  in  singing  the  songs  of  Zion. 

In  addition  to  the  book  above-named,  Messrs.  Ma- 
son Brothers  publish  a  small  work  entitled  Psalms  and 
Hymns ;  and  Daniel  Dana,  a  thin  octavo,  with  the  title 
of  "  Hopkins'  Selections  of  Sacred  Song."  These 
works,  though  possessing  merits  peculiarly  their  own, 
are  too  incomplete — too  limited  in  extent  to  admit  of 
any  general  use  in  the  Church,  and  are  hardly  worth 
considering  in  this  connection. 

HOW  TO  USE  THE  BOOK. 

The  choice  of  a  book  having  been  made,  the  next 
thing  will  be  the  proper  mode  of  using  it.  This  will 
be  a  matter  of  great  importance,  for  upon  it,  as  well 
as  the  book,  will  depend  very  much  the  success  of  the 
undertaking. 


17 

We  will  suppose  a  church  to  have  decided  upon  a 
suitable  book,  say  ''  The  Songs  of  the  Church  " — as 
being  complete  within  itself— requiring  no  other  for 
any  occasion  that  can  possil)ly  arise  where  our  liturgy 
is  used,  and  containing  notliing  that  could  give  offence 
to  the  most  fastidious.  The  clergyman  should  then 
announce  from  the  desk,  as  the  rubric  gives  him 
authority  to  do,  that  thereafter  no  other  music  book 
should  be  used  in  that  church,  and  that  the  arrange- 
ments therein  set  down  should  in  all  cases  be  strictly 
followed.  This  might  at  first  sight  seem  a  little  dog- 
matic and  dictatorial;  but  aside  from  his  right,  nay, 
his  duty  to  do  so,  it  amounts  to  nothing  more  than  the 
appointment  of  a  new  chorister,  or  director  of  the 
music,  in  the  place  of  those  who  before  exercised  that 
authority.  This  new  director  will  be  the  editor  of  the 
book  chosen,  and  it  would  be  nonsense  to  assert  that 
he  could  not  discharge  the  duties  of  that  office,  with  the 
labor  of  years,  with  all  the  best  publications  of  the 
world  before  him,  and  w^ith  tlie  counsel  and  advice  of 
experienced  and  accomplished  musicians  to  aid  him, 
better  than  any  one — however  skilled — could  do  in  the 
few  moments  before,  or  during  service,  that  is  gener- 
ally allotted  to  that  duty. 

This  being  done,  every  member  of  the  congrega- 
tion who  has  the  slightest  ability  to  sing — and  this 
number  will  be  found  much  larger  than  most  persons 
are  aware — should  be  urged  to  supply  themselves  with 
a  copy  of  the  book,  and  make  themselves  master  of  its 
music  as  soon  as  possible.  Perhaps  the  best  and 
cheapest  way  to  procure  the  books  will  be  for  some 
person  to  visit  all  the  members,  obtain  their  subscrip- 
tions, and  order  the  requisite  number  of  books  from 
2 


18 

the  publishers  at  the  wholesale  p'ice^  whereby  they  will 
save  probably  one  quarter  of  the  cost  to  each  pur- 
chaser. This  can  be  readily  done  through  the  Express 
Companies,  which  have  agencies  in  all  the  principal 
towns  and  cities  in  the  country,  and  at  a  trifling  ex- 
pense. 

The  books  being  procured,  the  next  thing  will  be 
to  put  them  into  use.  The  most  effective  way  to  do 
that,  will  be  to  engage  some  suitable  person — the 
organist  or  chorister  of  the  church,  or  some  experienced 
music- teacher  accustomed  to  teach  in  classes,  and  de- 
vote at  least  one  evening  a  week  to  a  thorough  prac- 
tice and  drill  of  the  chants  for  the  season,  and  the  music 
of  those  psalms  and  hymns  most  used  by  the  Pastor  or 
Rector  of  the  parish. 

As  soon  as  this  is  begun,  measures  should  be  taken 
to  organize  as  large  a  choir  as  possible  out  of  the  best 
singers  — if  there  is  not  one  already  in  the  church — with 
a  competent  leader,  whose  especial  duty,  and  we  may 
say  pleasure  it  shall  be,  to  take,  in  connection  with  the 
organist,  the  principal  lead  in  the  music  in  the  school- 
room and  the  church,  and  who  will  be  expected  to  be 
on  hand  whenever  the  church  is  opened  for  service. 

On  this  matter  of  choir  and  organist,  we  must  insist ; 
for  without  them  proper  life  and  spirit  cannot  be  in- 
fused into  the  music ;  but  we  would  equally  insist  upon 
confining  them,  on  all  ordinary  occasions,  to  the  one 
book,  and  the  singing  of  the  same  tunes  to  the  same, 
words  at  all  times.  If  a  tune  is  suitable  for  certain 
words  at  one  time,  it  is  equally  so  at  other  times.  Who 
would  ever  think  of  singing  the  words  of  Home^  Sioeet 
Home^  or.  The  Last  Hose  of  Summer^  or.  Oft  in  the  Still?/ 
JVightj  to  other  than  the  beautiful  melodies  to  which 


19 

they  are  wedded.  Then  why  hliuuld  we  be  continually 
changing  the  words  and  music  of  our  Psalms  and 
Hymns?  With  the  cliants,  occurring  as  they  do  at 
every  service,  a  cliange  is  desirable  in  the  music,  to 
secure  a  reasonable  force  and  freshness,  so  as  to  pre- 
vent monotony  and  weariness. 

This  much  having  been  done,  the  remainder  of  the 
work  is  easy.  All  that  will  be  necessary  will  be  to  keep 
up  the  rehearsals  or  practisings  for  two  or  three  months, 
and  a  steady  adherence  to  the  book  chosen — if  chosen 
wisely — and  all  will  be  astonished  at  the  results  which 
will  surely  follow,  while  there  will  be  none  to  object 
to  this  restoration  of  music  to  its  true  position  in  the 
Church — a  part  of  the  worship,  and  not  a  distinct  artis- 
tic performance  to  tickle  the  ears  of  silly  people,  and 
minister  to  the  vanity  of  certain  persons  who  have 
more  voice  than  brains. 

Choirs  organized  in  the  manner  spoken  of  above, 
can  form  the  basis  of  musical  societies,  for  the  practice 
of  more  florid  and  difficult  music  for  the  entertainment 
of  their  friends,  and  the  improvement  of  their  voices, 
but  not  to  be  brought  into  church,  except  occa- 
sionally on  Christmas,  Easter,  and  other  festivals,  when 
a  little  relaxation  of  our  rules  may  be  allowed ;  and  for 
which  purpose  it  is  said  the  Editor  of  the  Songs  of  the 
Church  is  preparing  a  collection  of  anthems,  sentences, 
&c.,  to  be  published  as  a  companion  of  the  "  Songs." 

A  Avord  as  to  the  style  of  executing  church  music. 
In  almost  all  our  churches,  the  music  is  too  slow  and 
lifeless  to  produce  its  proper  effect.  It  is  a  great  mis- 
take to  suppose  that  music,  to  be  solemn  and  impres- 
sive, should  be  necessarily  slow.  At  St.  George's,  Dr. 
Tyng's,  where  the  music  is  under  the  direction  of  one 


20 

of  the  finest  musicians  in  this  country,  Mr.  George 
Bristow,  as  before  mentioned,  it  is  given  with  great 
vigor,  and  in  a  style  that  warms  the  heart  and  quick- 
ens the  pulse.  The  chants  are  chanted^  not  sung^  and 
given  in  nearly  the  same  time  a  good  reader  would  re- 
quire to  read  them.  For  example,  a  Te  Deum  should 
be  chanted  in  three  to  three  and  a  half  minutes  ;  a  Ye- 
nite,  Gloria  in  Excelsis,  or  Cantate,  in  about  one  and  a 
half  minutes.  Care  should,  however,  be  taken  not  to 
hurry  too  much  those  portions  of  the  words  which  are 
recited.  It  is  in  the  mediation  or  cadences  where  the 
dragging  takes  place.  Those  notes  which  are  sung, 
should  be  given  staccato^  or  short,  in  the  same  rate  of 
movement  as  those  chanted,  and  especial  care  should 
be  taken  not  to  prolong  the  last  note  of  the  line,  but 
to  let  go  of  it  as  in  reading,  and  with  no  more  pause 
between  the  two  parts  of  the  verse,  than  would  be  in- 
dicated by  a  semicolon.  Chants  rendered  in  this  man- 
ner have  a  life  and  character  unattainable  in  any  other 
way.  The  words  of  the  psalms  and  hymns  will  indi- 
cate clearly  how  they  should  be  sung,  if  singers  will 
but  pay  attention  to  them. 

"  Awake  my  soul,  stretch  every  nerve, 
And  press  with  vigor  on," 

should  not  be  rendered  as  if  it  read, 

"  Now  sleep  my  soul,  fold  up  thy  wings, 
Thy  race  of  duty's  run," 

as  we  have  heard  it  frequently  given  by  organists, 
who  make  great  pretensions  to  musical  taste  and  execu- 
tion. Old  Hundred,  for  example,  should  be  given 
in  thirty-five  to  forty  seconds,  and  so  of  others. 


21 

Wc  have  but  little  more  to  add.  li'  our  Clergy  and 
Vestries  will  act  upon  the  suggestions  and  hints  here 
given,  they  will  not  only  be  performing  what  the 
Church  makes  their  imperative  duty,  but  they  will  be 
gratified  by  finding  their  congregations  rapidly  increas- 
ing while  a  new  vitality  will  be  breathed  into  every 
department  of  church  work.  There  can  be  no  doubt 
that  the  slim  attendance  at  most  of  our  churches  is 
more  the  result  of  the  poor  music  than  the  poor 
preaching.  Give  us  hearty  congregational  music  to 
get  up  a  sympathy  in  the  congregations,  and  there  will 
be  no  fear  of  empty  churches,  or  lifeless  parishes. 


mm 


Gaylertf  Brmm. 

Makors 
Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

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